Decorative attachment device

ABSTRACT

A decorative attachment device which quickly and easily secures decorative items to a gift package, and means of use thereof.

This application claims the benefit of Provisional U.S. PatentApplication No. 60/782,849, filed Mar. 15, 2005, the entirety of whichis hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Retailers who provide package gift wrapping services would like toincrease sales by easily associating a decorative gift item with a maingift, an association which is more easily made if a customer can quicklysee a finished package. Retailers would also like to increase sales byallowing customer service employees to quickly attach promotional itemsto customer purchases at the point of sale in a manner that does notcause any substantial delay to the customer.

Gift wrappers normally must possess skill and artistry to quickly securedecorative items to a package in a manner that is aestheticallypleasing. Conventionally, a gift wrapper must choose between aestheticsor efficiency. For instance, one conventional method is to tie thedecorative item to the package, for instance using string or a strip ofdecorative ribbon, a method which may be aesthetically pleasing but istime consuming. A second conventional method is to attach the decorativeitem directly to the package, for instance using tape or glue, which maybe relatively fast but is not aesthetically pleasing and may also damagethe decorative item.

Both in a fast-paced, competitive retail environment and in private giftwrapping use, there is a need for a decorative attachment device whichquickly and easily secures decorative items to a gift package.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An attachment for a package, the attachment comprising an adhesivemember selectively attachable to a package and having a surface facingaway from said package when said adhesive member is adhered to saidpackage; and an elastic member attached to said surface and forming analternatively expandable and contractable securing region for securing adecorative item to said package.

The foregoing and other objectives, features, and advantages of thepresent attachment device will be more readily understood uponconsideration of the following detailed description of the presentattachment device, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a prospective view of a first embodiment of the device.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the device without the loop.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the device without the interconnectingloop.

FIG. 4 is an alternative prospective view of a first embodiment of thedevice.

FIG. 5 is a prospective view of a second embodiment of the device

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 4, an attachment device 1 includes at least onesecuring loop 2 interconnected to a base 4. The attributes of thesecuring loop 2, base 4, and their interconnection are detailed below.

The base 4 includes a display face 6 and an opposite adhesive face 8.The base 4 may be formed of cardstock, plastic, paper, or other materialsuitable for the uses described herein. An adhesive layer 10 coats asubstantial portion of the adhesive face 8. When the attachment device 1is initially provided, the adhesive layer is covered by a removablebacking 12 to protect the adhesive layer 10 during handling and shippingwhile permitting easy removal during use. Thus, when it is desirable toadhere the attachment device 1 to a package, the protective backing 12may be removed to expose the adhesive layer 10 on the adhesive face 8.

The adhesive layer is preferably a removable pressure sensitiveadhesive.

Alternatively, the attachment device 1 may be attached to a package witha separately-supplied adhesive such as tape or glue. Those skilled inthe art will recognize that it may be possible to reuse an attachmentdevice with and adhesive which has lost its tensile strength byalternatively using a new application of adhesive to secure theattachment face to a package.

In the embodiment of the attachment device shown in the drawings, thebase 4 is substantially planar and formed in the shape of a square,creating a relatively simple decorative effect. Those skilled in thearts will recognize the base 4 may alternatively be formed in a varietyof shapes besides the illustrated square. The shape may, for example, bechosen to reflect a desired aesthetic effect, holiday, special occasion,theme, etc. The base may also be three-dimensional for more elaboratedecorative effects, which may include various textures or ornamentationaffixed thereto.

To support the inserted item, the base 4 is large enough and hassufficient adhesive strength to adhere to the package. Aestheticconsiderations may also play a role in determining the appropriate sizeof the base for a particular application.

The securing loop 2 is preferably formed from a narrow, substantiallyannular band. The loop defines an inner region and has sufficientelasticity to allow the band to be stretched via application of anexternal force, temporarily increasing the size of the inner region,thereby permitting the insertion of one or more items of a variety ofsizes into the inner region. Upon cessation of the external force, theloop contracts, decreasing the size of the inner region until the loopcomes into pressure contact with the inserted items, thereby allowingretention of the inserted item (or items) in proximity to the base. Theloop is also sufficiently flexible to permit removal of the inserteditem from the loop without damaging the inserted item.

The securing loop is preferably formed from a flexible, elasticmaterial, such as natural rubber or a synthetic polymer.

In some embodiments, the loop 2 may be formed of a material which hascolor or pattern to compliment a decorative item or decorating theme.

The interconnection between the base 4 and the loop 2 may beaccomplished by an interconnecting member 14, such as a staple, or otherconventional linkage means between the loop and the base. Suchconventional linkage means may include tape, wire, glue or othermaterial which permits a secure interconnection between the loop and thebase.

Referring to FIG. 5, in an alternative embodiment, the securing loop maybe alternatively be formed by securing opposite ends of a strap 16 totwo apertures 18, 20 on the base 4. The securing loop is thus formed bythe strap, or a portion thereof, and the surface of the base between thetwo apertures. The interconnection may be created by passing each end ofthe strip through a respective aperture, from the display face to theadhesive face, and securing the end to the adhesive face of the base,for example by knotting the ends or by embedding the ends in theadhesive layer (not shown).

Alternatively, the base 4 and the loop 2 may be integrally formed of asingle piece of material which provides the flexibility and resiliencedescribed below for the loop, while providing the requisite strength forthe base.

Advantageously, the inserted item or items while held in proximity tothe package can project outwardly from the surface of the package, andare therefore highly visible. The flexibility of the loop 1 allows therecipient to enjoy both the appearance of the inserted item with thepackage and to use the inserted item independently.

The decorative items may be one of a variety of season decorations,special occasion favors, or supplemental gift items chosen to complimentanother gift. Retailers will recognize the importance of being able tosuggest addition of such a decorative item to a gift purchase.

The package may be a card, box, bag, tube, or other convention giftcontainer. Alternatively, the package may be a book, frame, or otherobject which would permit removable attachment of the attachment device.

To use the attachment device, a desired surface of a package isselected, the protective backing is removed from the adhesive surface(or an adhesive layer is applied to the adhesive surface), and thedevice is pressed onto to the desired surface, adhesive surface down,with sufficient pressure to cause the device to adhere to the package.The securing loop is then expanded to a sufficient size and a desireddecorative item (or items) is placed within the loop. The loop is thenallowed to contract against the decorative item whereby the combinationof the adhesive between the package and the base and frictional forcesbetween the decorative item and the loop restrain the decorative itemfrom movement relative to the package.

The decorative attachment device described herein may be used byretailers who wish to increase sales volume and revenue by suggestingdecorative items which would compliment a main gift purchase and whichcould be attached to the main gift with the decorative attachment devicequickly and easily, while enhancing the presentation of the main giftpurchase.

The decorative attachment device described herein may be used by giftwrappers who wish to decrease the time and skill needed to completewrapping a package in an attractive manner which is reflective of theholiday, special occasion, or theme of the package.

The terms and expressions which have been employed in the foregoingspecification are used therein as terms of description and not oflimitation, and there is no intention, in the use of such terms andexpressions, of excluding equivalents of the features shown anddescribed or portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of theinvention is defined and limited only by the claims which may be latersubmitted.

1. An attachment for a package, said attachment comprising: (a) anadhesive member selectively attachable to a package and having a surfacefacing away from said package when said adhesive member is adhered tosaid package; and (b) an elastic member attached to said surface andforming an alternatively expandable and contractable securing region forsecuring a decorative item to said package.
 2. The attachment of claim1, wherein said elastic member forms a closed loop with respect toitself.
 3. The attachment of claim 1 including a selectively removableprotective strip covering an adhesive region of said adhesive member. 4.The attachment of claim 1 wherein said elastic member is attached tosaid surface at a single point.
 5. The attachment of claim 1 furthercomprising an interconnection member for attaching said elastic memberto said adhesive member.
 6. The attachment of claim 1 wherein saidsurface of said adhesive member is the first of at least two surfaces ofsaid adhesive member and the attachment further comprises a layer ofadhesive applied to a second of the two surfaces of said adhesivemember.
 7. The attachment of claim 6 further comprising a selectivelyremovable protective strip covering said adhesive layer.